As the tribal Lashkar made advances in the Azam Warsak, Kalosha and Wacha Dana areas of South Waziristan Agency on Saturday, Army troops took control of more bunkers the Lashkar had got vacated from foreigners. However, the troops have so far stayed away from the fighting.Sporadic firing continued in Bar Karmazai, Kalosha, Azam Warsak and Nandroon Ghundai, sources told The News. It was also observed that the Uzbek militants were moving towards mountains near the Afghan border like Nandroon. According to a report nine bodies of foreign militants killed in the clashes were recovered at Azam Warsak and buried by locals.
The tribesmen in a Jirga held on Saturday renewed their demand for government support in the final push against the Uzbeks, especially air support. The Jirga held at Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan Agency, asked tribal elders from different sub-tribes who have left the agency due to threats, to return and join the Lashkar. Warning was also issued to others, including Malik Besmillah Khan, Malik Khanzada Khan, Malik Ali Shah Khan of Sheikh Bazidkhel tribe, Ajmal Khan of Kakakhel tribe and Malik Noor Ali Khan of Utmankhel to attend the Jirga being held tomorrow.
The exact number of casualties could not be ascertained due to host of reasons, including journalistsÂ’ inaccessibility to the area and political authoritiesÂ’ reluctance to talk to reporters. However, reports say that at least 220 foreigners have so far been killed in the fighting. The locals killed in the clashes include seven close relatives of Maulvi Nazeer, identified as Azhay, Malik Pashat Khan, Malik Juma Khan, who was hanged at Wana Bazaar by the Uzbeks, Hamdullah, and a female and two youths. Three relatives of the Lashkar leader, Malik Sherin, have also been killed besides setting on fire his two houses.
There are also reports that the Uzbeks are getting supply from certain elements. They are in possession of heavy and light machine guns, sophisticated artillery, multi-barrel short-range missile-rocket launchers and ordinary rocket launchers.